DEA launches anonymous texting tip line in New England

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s New England Field Division has launched an anonymous texting tip line that it hopes can make it easier for the public to report drug trafficking, money laundering or other drug-related activity directly to agents.

The program, “Tip411,” was announced in a press release from John J. Arvanitis, the special agent in charge of the New England division.

“This program enables citizens, who otherwise might be reluctant to provide information, to communicate directly and anonymously with a DEA agent via text message. Through the Tip411 service we are strengthening our partnership with the community, whose members want to rid their neighborhoods of drug traffickers” said Arvanitis, in the release.

The release said anyone with a cell phone can “quickly and easily” report the drug-related activity.

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To use the service, send a text message to 847411 (Tip411) and put the keyword “DEADRUGS” in the message field, followed by the tip.

The DEA says all information provided through the service is 100 percent anonymous.

The technology, created by Citizen Observer, removes the identifying information of the sender before the tip is forwarded to the DEA, according to the release. The service allows the agent to send a response to the sender as a follow-up, but the citizen remains anonymous during the conversation.

The system is used by other law enforcement agencies around the country, according to the DEA.

Locally, the West Haven Police Department utilizes the “Tip411” software from Citizen Observer. The program was introduced there in 2011. The department also uses Citizen Observer to send information to residents.

Tips can be sent to the West Haven department by sending a message to 847411 (Tip411) and putting WHPD in the message field before the tip.